Power shovel



Nov. 15, 1927.

G. T. ROSSELLE POWER SHOVEL Jan. 21. 5 sh t s et J Q a MWJM Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,739

G. T. ROSSELLE POWER SHOVEL Filed, Jan, 2 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 glwuento'c 3. 5. ongwaiw Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,739

G. T. ROSSELLE POWER S HOVEL Filed Jan: 2 1 27 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwuentw Gen/"7a Timid/e alto; new

Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFlCE.

GEORGE TAYLOR BQ$SELLE, F MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, ASEEE -EIUR TO AUSTIN 'MA- CHINERY CORPORATION, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, A GORPOlct-ATION O VIRGINIA.

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Application filed January 21, 1927. Serial No. 162,593.

This invention relates to improvements in power shovels of that type in which the derrick and shovel'actuating mechanism are carried by an upper deck pivotally mounted on a lower deck that is fixed with relation to the carriage or other support of the machine. In such devices a circular gear and an annular track are mounted between the two decks concentric to the pivotal connection and fixed to the lower deck. On the under sins of the upper deck are mounted rollers to travel on the annular track to transmit the load of the upper deck to the lower deck. A. shaft is journallod at its upper part in a vertical bearing fixed on the upper deck and is driven by a gear connection with a suitable motor. This shaft has a pinion fast on its lower end meshing with the circular gear so that rotation of the shaft causes the pinion to travel around the circular gear and through the shaft connection the upper deck is turned to and fro accordin; to the rotational direction of the pinion.

The upper deck carries a considerable load, the weight off the shovel, its support and actuating mechanism and oi the material being handled the inertia of which must be overcome in starting a turning movement of the upper deck; also, when in motion, the loaded upper r eck accumulates considerable momentum, the energy of which must be absorbed when the turning movement is stopped. In overcoming the inertia of the loaded deck in starting and in absorbing the energy of the momentum when stopped, particularly when the drive is suddenly reversed. excessive strain is thrown on the actuating mechanism and the connected parts and the machine is racked and jarred. Vhen an explosive engine is employed as the source of power, with its sudden application of power, the strain and the force of the shocks imparted to the machine are very much amplified.

In the instant invention the annular track and the circular gear are mounted bet-ween the two decks so as to be relatively rotatable to a limited extent, the tract being hired to the lower deck and the circular gear being movably mounted thereon. Interposerl between the track and gear is a spring mechanism to absorb the shock of starting and stopping the upper deck and thereby relieves the machine of the strain that would otherwise be imparted to it if both the track and gear should be fixed to the lower deck. Also, the energy of the spring mechanism compressed by absorbing the momentum of the load in storming the same, is utilized to assist the motor in overcoming the inertia of the load in starting the same in the opposite direction; The particular mechanism employed in carrying out the invention is described in detail hereinafter, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts: v p

F are 1 is a plan view of the annular tracn and the circular gear mounted in their related positions.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 9 2 of 1. F 'ure 3 is an enlarged detail view showing in horizontal section ot a part of the track and gear and one of the interposed spring mechanisms.

Figure l is a sectional view on the line 4- of Fig. l. y

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. y

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through the pivotal center of the decks and the vertical bearing for the shaft carrying the pinion for driving; the upper deck.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 designates the lower deck of the machine and, as shown, it forms a fused part of the chassis oi the tractor, carrying the excavating mecl anism. Pivotally mounted on the lower deck is the upper deck 11 having a central bearing 12 journaled on a hub 13 integral with the conical cap 1d bolted to the lower deck. In an annular recess in the upper end of the hub 13 is seated a ring 15 and threaded on the ring; is a collar 16 forming a thrust contact for the upper end of the hearing 12 of the upper deck. This thrust contact serves to hold the upper deck against any tendency itmight have to move upwardly on the hub.

Secured on the lower deck 10 in a horizontal position is the annular track 17 on which travel the rollers 18 carried by a frame pivoted to the under side of the upper deck 11. On the upper deck, immediately above toe rollers, are mounted the shovel boom (not shown) and other heavy parts of the machine so that the heaviest part or the upper deck ll.

load on the upper deck is carried by the rollers and transmitted to the annular track.

Projecting from the inner face of the annular track 17 is the horizontal flan e 19. Riding on this flange and fitting within the annular track is the circular gear 20 having internal teeth. On the upper part of the outer faces of the circular gear is the flange 21 riding on the shoulder 22 on the inner face of the track. These engagements of the gear with the track serve to maintain the two parts in their related horizontal position during the travel of the gear within the track.

Meshing with the internal teeth of the circular gear 20 is the pinion 23 fast on the lower end of the vertical shaft 24: j ournaled in the vertical bearing 25 integral with the Means (not shown) are provided for rotating the shaft in either direction. When the shaft is rotated the pinion travels around the circular gear and thereby the upper deck is rotated. At intervals, preferably four in number, lugs 26 project from the periphery of the circular gear into opposite recesses 27 in the inner wall of the annular track. The width of the lug is somewhat less than the length of the recess so that when the circular gear is turned in either direction the lug engages the wall at either end of the recess and thereby limits the rotative movement of the circular gear with relation to the annular track. The several lugs are of the same arcuate length, as are the recesses in which they travel, and the relative positions of the lugs and their engaged recesses are such that all the lugs simultaneously reach the limits of their travel in their respective recesses.

Consequently, the strain imparted to the circular gear by the pinion in starting and stopping the rotation of the upper deck is simultaneously transmitted through all the lugs to the engaged annular track.

The casing of the annular track 17' provides an annular bearing for the circular gear 20 and the lugs or abutments 26 of the gear having limited'travel in the opposlte recesses 27 in the track casing provide a series of loose interlocks between the gear and bearing members. These interlocks with loosely engaging parts operate to transmit to thebearing member the thrust imparted to the gear member by the drive and permit limited play between thetwo memhers, the play being restricted to thetravel of the abutmentsin the opposite recesses.

Integral with the annular track 17 and on opposite sides of each of the lugs 26 are the housings 28. Each housing has an enlarged cylindrical bore 29 in its outer part and a reduced rectangular guideway 30 through its inner part, the longitudinal axes .of the bore and guideway being coincident with the longitudinal axis of the housing.

The longitudinal axis of the housing is approximately normal to the side of the lug or abutment 26 opposite to the inner end of the housing, and the angle of the intercepting longitudinal axes "bf the opposite housings approaches 180 degrees.

Slidable in each housing 28 is a stop-bolt 31, tubular at its outer part 32 and rectangular in crossarea at its inner part 33 to fit the guidei 'ay 30. At an intermediate part of the stop-bolt, adjacent the inner end of the tubular part 32, is a flange 34, against which is seated the inner end of the coiled spring 35 loosely fitting in the cylindrical bore 29 of the housing and around the tubular outer part 32 of the stop-bolt. In the outer end of the housing is the nut 36 se cured in place by pins 37 passing through the nut and the wall of the housing.

Threaded through the nut 23? is the adj usting pin 38 in axial alinement with the housing. The inner end of the adjusting pin enters the tubular outer part 32 of the stop-bolt and forms a guide for the outer end of the bolt. A lock-nut 39 holds the adjusting pin in its adjustments. On the adj usting pin, inside of the nut 36, is the shoulder -10 against which seats the washer ll engaging the outer end of the spring By adjusting the pin 38 the compression of the spring between the washer ll and the flange 34 can be regulated to vary the resistance ofl'ered to the outward movement of the stop-bolt 3i. The washer ll engaging the shoulder 40 also forms a stop to limit the outward movement ofthe stop-bolt, and the position of the washer can be varied by turning the adjusting pin. The inward movement of the stop-bolt is limited by the flange 3-lstriking the shoulder 42 at the in ner end of the cylindrical bore of the housing.

The rotative movement of the circular gear 20 with relation to the fixed annular track 17 is limited by the play of the abut-- ments 26 in their respective recesses 27 and also by the stop-bolts 31 engaging the abut ments. The play of the abutments in their recesses provide the extreme limits of the movement of the gear and bet-ween these limits the movement can be restricted to any required extent by adjusting the stop-bolts. Under certain conditions of work it is do sirable to operate the machine with the maximum relative play. between the circular gear and the annular track and under other conditions a more restricted relative play an iii) the rotation of the deck is initially started, for an instance by the travel of the pinion 23 in the direction indicated by the arrows c, Fig. 3, the drag of the pinion'imparts a thrust to the circular gear 20 that tends to turn the gear in relation tothe annular track 17 in a direction contrary to that indicated by the arrows 0. This movement of the circular gear with relation .to the annular track, through the engagement of the lugs 26 with the stop-bolts 31, compresses the springs in the series a. By first compressing this series of springs the inertia of the load is gradually overcome with a resulting starting of the turning movement of the upper deck. After the inertia of the load is overcome and the rotary movement of the deck started, the compressed springs expand again and through. the thrust of their respective stop-bolts 31 against the lugs 26 the circular gear is turned to position the lugs about midway of their respective recesses 27 and the cushioningeffect between the gear and the track is maintained. When the shovel is positioned and the application of power to the shaft 2a is discontinued, the shaft and pinion 23 act to stop the rotary movement of the upper deck. W hen this happens the momentum of the load is transmitted to the circular gear to be absorbed by the other series 5 of the springs through the action of their respective stop-bolts Ell impinging on the lugs 26 on the sides thereof opposite. to those engaged by the, staybol'ts of the springs :of the series a. In this way the inertia of the load is gradually overcome in starting a turning movement of the upper deck and the momentum of the load is gradually absorbed in stoppmgthe turning movement, so that the machine is relieved of much ofthe strain incident to the starting and stopping and the shocks and jars are avoided. This is particularly so during the sudden reversal of the drlve occasioned by a rapid swinging to and fro of the shovel.

\Vhat' I claim is: l

1. In a power-shovel, the combination with a lower deck, of an upper deck pivotally mounted on the lower deck, an annular member fixed on the lower deck, a circular gear movable on the lower deck and provided with an abutment having restricted play in a recess in the annular member, stop-bolts slidable in the annular member and impinging on opposite sides of the abutment, springs normally pressing the stop-bolts against the abutment to oppose turning movement of the'circular gear with relation to the fixed member, and a gear drive mounted on the upper deck and engaging the circular gear to rotate the upper deck.

2. In a power-shovel, the combination with a lower deck, of an upper deck pivotally mounted on the lower deck, an annular member fixed 'on the lower deck, a circular gear movable on the lower deck and prof vided with an abutment having restricted play in a recess in the annular member,

housings in the annular member on' opposite sides of the abutment, stop-bolts slidable in the housings and impinging on op osite sides of the abutn'ient, springs in the ons ings normally pressing the stop-bolts against the abutment to oppose turning movement of the circular gear with relation tothe annular members, adjustable means mounted in the housings for regulating thepressure of thesprings on the stop-bolts, and agear drive mounted on the upper deck and en gaging the cireula deck.

3. In a power-shovel, the combination with a lower deck, of an upper deck pivotally mounted on the lower vdeck, an annular" member fixed on the lower deck, a circular r gear to rotate'the' upper gear concentric with the ani'iularmember and movable on the lower deck, said gear being providedwith an abutment having re-i stricted play in a recess in the annular member, housings in the annular member '4. The combination with a fixed annular member, a circular gear concentric with the annular member and rotatable with relation thereto, an abutment on the circular gear having limited play in a recess of the annular member, a housing forming part of the annular member, a stop-bolt movable in the housing and impingingon the abutment, a

coiled spring within the housing and engag ing at one end the stop-bolt, and meansiad justabie in the housing and engaging the other end of the coiled spring for regulating the pressure of the spring on the stop-bolt.

5. he combination with a fixed annular member, a circular gear concentric with the annularmember and rotatable with relation thereto, an abutment on the circular gear having limited play in a recess of the annular member, a housing forming part of the annular member, a tubular stop-bolt movable in the housing and impinging at its inner end on the abutment, said stop-bolt having a flange at an intermediate part, a pin adjustable in the outer end of the housing and entering the tubular stop-bolt, a washer seated on the pin within the housing, and a coiled spring within the housing around the i (is stop-bolt and compressedbetween the washer on the adjusting pin and the flange on the stop-bolt, adjustment of said pin operating to regulate the compression of the spring to vary the thrust of the stop-bolt against-the abutment.

6. In a power-shovel, the combination with a lower deck, of an upper deck pivotally mounted on the lower deck, an annular bearing fixed on the lower deck concentric to the pivotal mounting of the upper deck, a circular gear journaled in the annular bearing, an interlock having loosely engaging parts connecting the circular gear and annular bearing to permit restricted play between the same and said interlock operating to provide positive engagement between the gearand hearing at the limits of their restricted relative play to transmit the thrust of the circular gear to the annular bearing, a gear drive mounted on the upper deck and engaging the circular gear to rotate the upper deck, and resilient means operating to transmit the thrust of the circular gear to the annular bearing during the relative play of the gear and bearing permitted by the interlock.

7. In a power-shovel, the combination with a lower deck,of an upper deck pivotally mounted 011 the lower deck, an annular bearing fixed on the lower deck concentric tothe pivotal mounting of the upper deck,

a circular gear journaled in the annular bearing, an abutment on one of said gear and bearing members and loosely engaging an opposite recess in the other member to permit restricted relative play between said members, said abutment operating to provide positive engagement between said 1nemhers at the limits of their restricted relative play to transmit the thrust of one member to, the other, a-gear drive mounted on the upper deck and engaging the circular gear to rotate the upper deck, and resilientmeans operating to transmit the thrust of one of said members to the other during the relative play of the members permitted by the abutment.

8. In a power-shovel, the combination with a lower deck, of an upper deck pivotally mounted on the lower deck, an annular bearing fixedon the lower deck concentric to the pivotal mounting of the upper deck,

a circular gear journaled in the annular bearing, an abutment on the circular gear loosely engaging an opposite recess in the annular bearing to permit restricted play of the gear relative to the gearing, said a utment operating to provide positive enga ement of the circular gear with the annu ar hearing fixed on the lower deck concentric to the pivotal mounting of the upper deck, a circular gear journaled in the annular barring, an abutment on the circular gear loosely engaging an opposite recess in the annular bearing to permit restricted play of the gear relative to the bearing, said abutment operating to provide positive engagement otthe circular gear with the annular bearing at. the limits of the restricted play of the circular gear to transmit the thrust of the gear in either direction to the hear ing, a gear drive mounted on the upper deck and engaging the circular gear to rotate the upper deck, and resilient mechanism mounted on the annular bearing and including a spring-pressed bolt impinging on the circular gear to transmit the thrust of the circular gear to the annular bearing during the restricted play of the gear relative to the bearing permitted by the abutment.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

GEORGE TAYLOR ROSSELLE. 

